Sealing construction



March-1,1938. QSTRECKER 2,110,098

, 'SEALING CONSTRUCTION Filed Se t. 5, 1936 ZSheets-Shect 1 INVENTOR 7 ATTORNEY March 1, 1938. c. STRECKER SEALING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 5, 19 36 2 Sheet ot 2 @Mrm INV OR mi Y FAA/M ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,110,098 some CONSTRUCTION Charles Strecker, North Arlington, N. J., assignor to Eastwood-Nealley Corporation, Belleville, N. J., a. corporation of Jersey Application September 5, 1936, Serial No. 99,526

1 Claims. (or 251403) This invention relates to sealing means adapted for use in plug valves and the like.

It is well known that, in ordinary gland-packed plug valves with packing on top of the plug, there is usually a substantial amount of gland leakage and cover leakage, and furthermore, the plug tends to seize tight in the body. It is difllcult and often impossible to rotate the plug to open or closed position due to the lack of elasticiy in the packing and because the packing has been pulled up tight by the gland bolts to stop leakage around the shank of the plug. If the plugs stick and a large force is exerted to attempt to rotate the plu the valve housing or body is damaged and sometimes broken. a r I My invention overcomes these and otherobjections of the previous plug cocks and provides resilient sealing means for the shank of the plug so that a tight seal against cover leakage is obtained, and the plug is resiliently mounted and will not stick in the body...Wear between the relatively moving parts and washers and packing is also reduced to a minimum. The resilient sealing means cuts its own seal or seat, thereby materially assisting in the prevention of leakage. Any expansion or contraction due to temperature changes is absorbed by the resilient sealing means. I V

. To the accomplishment of the foregoing, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my

invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the ap-- pended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and

which show various embodiments of my invention, it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice within l thescope of the claims without digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawings: Y Fig. 1 represents a vertical cross section of one form of construction, showing the top portion of r a plug valve provided with a dished spring washer positioned against the top of the plug and cooperating with a flat rigid washer held against packing to form a sealing joint;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, representing another form of my invention in which a plurality of nested, dished, spring washers are used;-

Flg. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, representing another form of my inventionvin which aplurality of sets of nested, dished, spring washers are used in opposed relation;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, representing still another form of I my invention wherein a plurality of pairs of opposed dished spring washers are used;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view representing a preferred form of construction for a plug valve 5 where a packing gland is used in combination with adished spring washer; 1

Fig. 6 is a similar view representin another form of my invention where a pair of opposed dished spring washers are shown;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view representing another form of my invention where a rotatable shaft or member is provided with a packing resiliently held around the shaft or member'by one or more dished spring washers and a flat 15 washer;

Fig. 8 is a similar view representing another form of my invention where chevronpacking is held against a rotatable member by means of a dished spring washer and a fiat washer; and 20 Fig. 9 is a similar view representing another form of my invention where packing is held against a rotatablemember between opposed and spaced dished spring washers.

I have shown different forms of my invention 5 in the drawings. One form. includes a packing held at its periphery between the'bonnet of the I valve and the body. A rigid washer preferably of steel, is pressed against this packing by a dished metallic spring washer which forces the steel 30 washer against the packing, the dished washer cutting its own seal or seatin the rotatable part or parts which it engages. As this spring washer presses against the top of the plug near the shank of the plug, when the plug is rotated, it cuts a" groove or grooves forming a seal or seat therein to provide a sealing construction. Instead of using only one such metallic spring washer, I may use a plurality of such spring'washers and in various arrangements, where, for instance, a larger 40 pressure is desired or where the height for the washer varies. In these arrangements I prefer to use the, same size washer but I am not to be restricted thereto as difierent sizes may be used.

In another form of my invention 1 use packing 45 material around a shank or shaft, the packing material being resiliently held in place by a steel washer and a dished metallic spring washer.

In another form of my invention a dished spring a washer is used at one end or both ends of packing material. Still another form of my invention in- 1 cludes chevron or U-section packing around a shank or shaft which is resiliently held in place by a steel washer and one or more spring dished washers. 55

Referring now to the drawings andfirst to Fig.

" 1. the reference character [8 designates a portion of .a valve housing or body in which is rotatably mounted a plug l2 havinga shank l4 and an.in'

clined shoulder l6 between the top of the plug and the shank; A bonnet or cover plate I8 is secured to the housing or body in any suitable manner, asb'y bolts 20. A packing 22 is positioned between thebonnet or cover plate and the housing. This packing 22 has an inner downwardly extending annular portion 24 surrounding a portionof the shank of the packing is held. between the bonnet and thehousing, the remainder of the fiat part of thepacking 22 'being held'against the bonnet by an ordinary fiat rigid washer 28 which is preferably steel and fits in the annular depression or recess 38 in the housing. The opening in the washer 28 is larger than the diameter of the shank l4 so that annular portion-of the packing extends therethrough, and lies against the adjacent part ofthe shank I4.

I provide a strong dished metallic spring washer I 32" which at its outer periphery at 38" presses against the under side of the washer 28 to compress the packing 22; The spring washer32 at its 'inner' perip'hery presses against the surface of the inclined shoulder 16 on the plug and when; the plug is rotated to open and closed positions; this spring washer cuts its sealor seat in the plug at 36sto form" atight sealagainst leakage through that joint. This springwasher holds the plug in close contact with the finished tapered surface of the dished part facing upwa'rdlyjand the" two other nested spring washers 52 and 54 being positioned with-the dished part facing-"downwardly. "The'top washeris forced against flat-steel Washer 55 'whichis forced against packing ring 56. The;

the body as at- 38 at a predetermined uniform load, preventing the plug from seizing or sticking too tightly to'the body at thetapered surfaceand allowing-the plug tobe easily rotatedinuse to *open or closed position at any time. Alsoany expansion or contraction due to temperature changes is absorbed by the resiliency of the spring washer. 1

The spring washer *32 is especially adapted where relatively large load capacity, small deflectionand alimited closed'height are metwith in particular constructions, such as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. If larger loads are used in the valve, more than one spring washer may-be used, but it will be noted that the same sized spring washers are usedfwhen more than one spring washeris found necessary. 'In Fig. 2 I have shown'" another form. of my device where two nested, dished, spring washers 48 and 42 are used. The upper washer 42 presses- .against a flatsteel washer-44 which presses against apacking ring 45,, the washer" beirig similarto the washer" 28 shown infFig. 1. The lower'washer 40 has its inner periphery pressed against the topof the plug to form a resilient mounting for the plug and also to cut its'seal or seat into the plug at'lB' when the plug is rotated to form a tight seal against leakag.

In Fig." 3 I have shown another'form of my invention Where two nested sets of opposed dished spring washers are'shown, the two nested-dished spring washers 48 and-50 being positioned'with inner Washers 48 and of the two 'setsfare held in contact at their inner peripheries as at 5'1.

The lower spring washer 52 isforced against the top of the plug at 58 and against the shank M at 59and cuts its seal orseat in the plug to form the plug.

l4. Only the outer portion 26- tight sealing joint.

a tight seal against leakage. This construction using two sets of nested washers may be used .either where the height between the bonnet and top of the plug is larger than in Fig. l or where it is, desired to exerta greater sealing pressure on In Fig.4 I have shown another arrangement in WhiChjfOlll spring dished washers are. arranged to contact only at their peripheriesl' The washers 80, BI, 62 and 64 are so arranged that they are not nested and with the washers adjacent each other being in opposite positions. The top washer 64 at itsouter periphery is forced against steel washer ,66-and packing ring 61. At its inner periphery washer 64 cooperates with the inner periphery of spring washer 62. -Washers 68 and 7 6| are'in thesame relative positions as the spring washers 62 and 64 with bottom washer 60 being 1 forced against the top of the plug at 68 and against 'the'sha'nk at 69 to cut'ina seal or seat in the plug when the ,plugvalverotates to open andclosedpos'itions. By arranging the spring washers in this manner a'greate'r distance between the bonnet and' the top of the plug is accommodated. 'Also a greater sealing pressure may be obtained with this arrangement without the need of using different sizes of dished spring washers. I

In Fig. 5 I have shown a preferred form of construction for sealing plug valves where a combination of packing material and adished spring I washer is used. In this form the bonnet or cover plate Ill is provided with an annular space or recess .1! to receive a metallic spring dished Washer'12 ,which'bontacts the' bonnet at its outer peripheral edge and which 'is pressed against the top of the'plug'l3 at its inner edge 14 to cut a seal or seat in the top of the plug and form a I The bonnet is provided with an annular depression'15 to receive packing 16 which is shown as chevron packing in the drawin'gs. For pressing this packing around the shank 11 of the plug," I provide a gland memberl'B which is suitably securedfto the bonnet or cover 10 by means of-bolts 19.1Thisgland is provided with acentral annular portion which fits into the annular depression 15 in the bonnet so thatwhen the bolts 19 are tightened the'packing will be forced against the shank 11 of the plug and form an additional seal. This construc tion' prevents gland leakage, due to the'fact that the edges of the metallic washer 12, cut a seal or seat and thus a 'leakproof joint is provided. InFig. 6 I have shown-another form of a seal- "in'g means including two metallic spring washers 88 8i: positioned with their inner peripheries in The top spring washer is contact asat 82.

-;forced against flat steel washer 83 and packing ring 84. The bottom spring dished washer has its inner peripheral edge. in engagement with the shank 85 of the plug and its outer peripheral edge incontact with the top of the plug. When the plug valve is rotated, the lower spring washer 80' willc'ut a seal or seat in the shank of the plug at 86"andanother sea or seat'at 81 on the top of the plug;

In'Fig. 7 I haveshown another form of my invention whichcomprises a sealing means for a shaft or'other rotatable'bo dy, such as a plug shank: .In this form the supporting body 88 is providedwith an annular recess or depression89 and a cover plate or bonnet 9,0. The bonnet or cover plate 9D'is held on thebody 88 by means of bolts"'92 or any other suitable connecting means. Extending through the bonnet or cover plate 90 and through the housing 88 is a shaft 94. Surrounding the shaft 94 and positioned within the recess or depression 89 is packingmaterial 96. ,This packing material extends nearly up to the,

topof the recess 89. A fiat steel washer 9B, is

placed on top of this packing. The steel washer,

98 is pressed against the packing 9G by means of the spring dished washers I00, I 02.'which aresimilar to those described in the previous forms of my invention. Thebottomwasher; I 00;has its outer periphery in contact with the steel plate 98 and has its inner periphery in contact with and cooperating with thetop spring washer I02.

Fig. 8 the shaft housing, cover plate and cut out portion are substantially the same as described in connection with Fig. '7. However, in this form of my invention chevron or inverted U-section packing I04 is placed around the shaft I06 and the resilient washer construction is placed at the bottom of the cut out portion or groove I08. The spring construction is similar to that described in connection with Fig. 7 and includes a flat steel washer I I0 forced against the bottom of the packing and opposed spring dished washers H2 and IN. By using this construction a good sealing joint is obtained around the shaft I06.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a housing H8 with a bolted cover plate I20, the housing having a recess or depression I22 to receive a packing I26 to surround a portion of the shaft I24. The packing I26 is held between the bottom spring dished washer I28 and top spring dished washer I30. The bottom dished washer presses against the bottom of the depression I22 and top dished washer I30 presses against the top plate I20.

It is seen from the foregoing description that I have provideda very simple and effective construction for preventing gland and cover leakage in valves of this character and for providing such a valve having a long life and which is always capable of proper and efficient operation. The dished metallic washer constitutes an important feature of the invention, especially in the arrangement shown as it cuts its own seat with its edge or edges, and thereby makes sealing contact with the adjacent parts so as to prevent the leakage previously referred to. In use the line pressure has a tendency to force the plug valve upwardly, but this force is opposed resiliently by the metallic spring washer construction used. The arrange ment of this washer construction, together with the flexible washer construction used, provides a very efficient device.

It is to be understood that the foregoing examples are given by way of illustration and that the same may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit-of my invention. I

What I claim is:

,1. A device of the character described, including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a cover secured to said housing, a spring dished Washer between said cover and the top of said plug and acting to resiliently hold said plug in proper position in said housing, said spring dished washer having one edge forced against the top of said plug so as to cut a seal or seat in the top of said plug to form a tight sealing joint when said plug is rotated.

2. A device of the character described, includinga housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a spring dished washer held between astationary part of saidhousing and said plug and acting to resiliently hold said plug in proper position in said housing, said spring dished washer having one edge pressed against the. top of said plug so -as to cut a seal or seat; therein when said plug is rotated. l

- 3. A device of the character described, including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a spring dished washer held between a stationary part of said housing and said plug, said spring dished washer having its one edge in contact with the top of said plug and forcing said plug downwardly to resiliently hold said plug on its seat in said housing and to form a sealing joint.

4. A device of the character described, including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, resilient means between a stationary part of said housing and said plug, said resilient means including a spring dished washer having its one edge in contact with, the top of said plug and forcing said plug downwardly to resiliently hold 'said plug on its seat in said housing and to form a sealing joint.

5. A plug valve including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a cover secured to said housing, packing between said cover and said housing, a flat washer, and a spring dished washer having one peripheral edge abutting said flat washer and the other peripheral edge pressed against the shank on said plug, said spring dished washer acting to resiliently hold said plug in position.

6'. A device of the character described including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a cover secured to said housing, packing material between said cover and said housing and extending into said housing, a fiat washer adjacent said packing material in said housing, and aspring dished washer having one peripheral edge abutting said flat washer and forcing it against said packing material and another peripheral edge pressed against the top of said plug to resiliently hold said plug on its seat in said housing and to form a sealing joint therewith.

7. A device of the character described, including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, resilient means between a stationary part of said housing and said plug, said resilient means including nested spring dished washers, the lower washer having one edge in contact with the top of said plug, said resilient means forcing said plug downwardly to resiliently hold said plug on its seat in said housing.

8. A plug valve including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a cover secured to said housing, a fiat washer adjacent said cover, a spring dished washer positioned between said plug and said fiat washer to force said flat washer toward said cover and said plug toward its seat, said spring washer being adapted to cut a seal or seat in the top of said plug to form a tight seal.

9. A device of the character described, including a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a cover secured to said housing and provided with an annular space above said plug, a spring dished washer positioned in said annular space and between said cover and the top of said plug to hold 'said plug.

ing a housing, a plug rotatably mounted therein and having a stem, a cover secured to said hous- 'ing; packing material between said cover and said said plug to resiliently hold said plugon itsseat in said housing and form a sealing jointetheree housing and extending into said housing, said packing material having a sleeve surr'ounding'a portion of said plug stem, a washer in said housing, and'a spring" dished washer having one g peripheral edge, abutting said washer to hold said washer against said 'packing material and an-v other peripheral edge pressed against the top of I with.

r 11. A device of thecharacter described includinga housing, a'plug rotatably mounted therein e .2,'11o,oa,a" 10. A device "of the enamel described, includ i and having; a stem, 9. cover secured to said hous ing, packing material between said cover and said housing and extending into said housing, said packing material having a flat annular portion and a downwardly extending sleeve surroundin a portion of said plug stem, a washer'in said housingadjacent said fiat annular portion of said packing material, and a spring dished washer having one peripheral edge abutting said washer to hold said washer against the fiat annular portion of said packing material and another peripheral edge pressed'against the'top of' said plug to res'iliently hold said plug on its seat in said housing.

CHARLES STRECKER. 1;, 

